2025 has been brutal for TV fans. From What’s Happening!!’s sass to The Cosby Show’s charm, we’ve lost icons who filled our screens with life. Each name reminds you why reruns still hit harder than reboots. These African American actors made television worth watching—and saying goodbye hurts. Here is a list of African American TV stars who died in 2025.
Ananda Lewis
Ananda Lewis, who made being real cooler than any MTV trend, died on June 11, 2025, at 52 after battling breast cancer. She once said, “Authenticity lasts longer than fame.” She proved it.
Kimberly Hébert Gregory
Kimberly Hébert Gregory, who made every scene in Vice Principals worth rewatching, died on October 3, 2025, at 52. Her cause of death is still unknown, leaving fans speechless.
Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer, who turned Dee Thomas into TV’s funniest tattletale on What’s Happening!!, died on August 11, 2025, at 60 from stomach cancer. She never dimmed.
Lynn Hamilton
Lynn Hamilton, who gave Sanford and Son its heart as Donna Harris, died on June 19, 2025, at 94 of natural causes. She made television warmer.
Karen Silva
Karen Silva, a 17-year-old The Voice Kids standout, died in Volta Redonda, Brazil, from a hemorrhagic stroke. Her team said, “Karen was a symbol of empowerment.”
Khadiyah Lewis
Khadiyah “KD” Lewis, known from Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, has died, her brother confirmed. The entrepreneur behind three booming ventures turned hustle into heritage.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who made Theo Huxtable unforgettable on The Cosby Show, drowned on July 20 while vacationing in Costa Rica. He later starred in Malcolm & Eddie and The Resident, proving talent ages well.
Kirk Medas
Kirk Medas, the Floribama Shore star who could turn chaos into comedy, died on May 2 at 33 after two weeks in a Miami ICU battling necrotising pancreatitis.
Kenneth Washington
Kenneth Washington, who brought quiet strength to Hogan’s Heroes, Star Trek, and Westworld, died on July 18 at 88 from cardiopulmonary arrest and prostate cancer. He later taught film representation, shaping storytellers beyond the screen.
Henry Fambrough
Henry Fambrough, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of The Spinners, died peacefully at 85. From 1954 to 2023, he kept soul alive—and even popped up on Laverne & Shirley and Cos.
Joshua Allen
Joshua Allen, who won So You Think You Can Dance season 4 at 18, has died at 36. The 2008 champ danced with Stephen “tWitch” Boss in Step Up 3D and Footloose, leaving rhythm stitched into pop culture.
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